EP0246693B1 - Method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use and apparatus of manufacturing them - Google Patents
Method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use and apparatus of manufacturing them Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0246693B1 EP0246693B1 EP87200862A EP87200862A EP0246693B1 EP 0246693 B1 EP0246693 B1 EP 0246693B1 EP 87200862 A EP87200862 A EP 87200862A EP 87200862 A EP87200862 A EP 87200862A EP 0246693 B1 EP0246693 B1 EP 0246693B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- capsule
- pins
- solution
- capsule pins
- capsules
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000007902 hard capsule Substances 0.000 title claims description 25
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 23
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 title claims description 20
- 239000002775 capsule Substances 0.000 claims description 162
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 claims description 61
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 33
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 28
- 238000007598 dipping method Methods 0.000 claims description 27
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 claims description 15
- 229920003086 cellulose ether Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000002768 hydroxyalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000002791 glucosyl group Chemical group C1([C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O1)CO)* 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 12
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- GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titan oxide Chemical compound O=[Ti]=O GWEVSGVZZGPLCZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
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- UFVKGYZPFZQRLF-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose Chemical compound OC1C(O)C(OC)OC(CO)C1OC1C(O)C(O)C(OC2C(C(O)C(OC3C(C(O)C(O)C(CO)O3)O)C(CO)O2)O)C(CO)O1 UFVKGYZPFZQRLF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 108010010803 Gelatin Proteins 0.000 description 2
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Glycerine Chemical compound OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229920002153 Hydroxypropyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004372 Polyvinyl alcohol Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920013820 alkyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 2
- TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L barium sulfate Chemical compound [Ba+2].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=O TZCXTZWJZNENPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 2
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- 235000019422 polyvinyl alcohol Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 125000001424 substituent group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 239000004408 titanium dioxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229960005196 titanium dioxide Drugs 0.000 description 2
- 235000010215 titanium dioxide Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 2
- LNAZSHAWQACDHT-XIYTZBAFSA-N (2r,3r,4s,5r,6s)-4,5-dimethoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)-3-[(2s,3r,4s,5r,6r)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-6-[(2r,3r,4s,5r,6r)-4,5,6-trimethoxy-2-(methoxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxane Chemical compound CO[C@@H]1[C@@H](OC)[C@H](OC)[C@@H](COC)O[C@H]1O[C@H]1[C@H](OC)[C@@H](OC)[C@H](O[C@H]2[C@@H]([C@@H](OC)[C@H](OC)O[C@@H]2COC)OC)O[C@@H]1COC LNAZSHAWQACDHT-XIYTZBAFSA-N 0.000 description 1
- RPZANUYHRMRTTE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-5-[3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxane;1-[[3,4,5-tris(2-hydroxybutoxy)-6-[4,5,6-tris(2-hydroxybutoxy)-2-(2-hydroxybutoxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]butan-2-ol Chemical compound COC1C(OC)C(OC)C(COC)OC1OC1C(OC)C(OC)C(OC)OC1COC.CCC(O)COC1C(OCC(O)CC)C(OCC(O)CC)C(COCC(O)CC)OC1OC1C(OCC(O)CC)C(OCC(O)CC)C(OCC(O)CC)OC1COCC(O)CC RPZANUYHRMRTTE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L Calcium carbonate Chemical compound [Ca+2].[O-]C([O-])=O VTYYLEPIZMXCLO-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- FBPFZTCFMRRESA-FSIIMWSLSA-N D-Glucitol Natural products OC[C@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)CO FBPFZTCFMRRESA-FSIIMWSLSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FBPFZTCFMRRESA-KVTDHHQDSA-N D-Mannitol Chemical compound OC[C@@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO FBPFZTCFMRRESA-KVTDHHQDSA-N 0.000 description 1
- FBPFZTCFMRRESA-JGWLITMVSA-N D-glucitol Chemical compound OC[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO FBPFZTCFMRRESA-JGWLITMVSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001479 Hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229930195725 Mannitol Natural products 0.000 description 1
- 239000002202 Polyethylene glycol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- CZMRCDWAGMRECN-UGDNZRGBSA-N Sucrose Chemical compound O[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@]1(CO)O[C@@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O1 CZMRCDWAGMRECN-UGDNZRGBSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229930006000 Sucrose Natural products 0.000 description 1
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- 125000004181 carboxyalkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
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- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000975 dye Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008157 edible vegetable oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011049 filling Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 235000011187 glycerol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229920013821 hydroxy alkyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920013819 hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000696 magnetic material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000594 mannitol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010355 mannitol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 125000000956 methoxy group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])O* 0.000 description 1
- 229920000609 methyl cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000001923 methylcellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010981 methylcellulose Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229960002900 methylcellulose Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006082 mold release agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003960 organic solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001223 polyethylene glycol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229940088417 precipitated calcium carbonate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011160 research Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 239000000600 sorbitol Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000010356 sorbitol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000005720 sucrose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
- A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J3/00—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms
- A61J3/07—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use
- A61J3/071—Devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms into the form of capsules or similar small containers for oral use into the form of telescopically engaged two-piece capsules
- A61J3/077—Manufacturing capsule shells
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
- A61K9/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
- A61K9/48—Preparations in capsules, e.g. of gelatin, of chocolate
- A61K9/4816—Wall or shell material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S264/00—Plastic and nonmetallic article shaping or treating: processes
- Y10S264/37—Processes and molds for making capsules
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S425/00—Plastic article or earthenware shaping or treating: apparatus
- Y10S425/804—Capsule making
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49863—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part
- Y10T29/4987—Elastic joining of parts
- Y10T29/49872—Confining elastic part in socket
Definitions
- This invention relates to a method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use and to manufacturing equipment suitable for mass-production of hard capsules for medicament use.
- Gelatin has been used as a thermo-gelling material of hard capsules for medicament use.
- the gelatin has such problems that it may interact with medicament ingredients and that the control of the moisture content of capsules is troublesome for storage and handling thereof.
- the method of melt-shaping with heat has problems that uniformity of the capsules can hardly be ensured and discoloration into yellow to brown may sometimes take place by the heat during shaping.
- the method of dipping in an organic solution has the disadvantage that the solvent, which is toxic to human body, may remain in the capsules, in addition to the troublesome handling of the solvent.
- the solution adhering to the pins sags down, so that it is difficult to prepare a capsule of uniform wall thickness.
- the molding pins are heated in advance and that the solution adheres to the surface of the pin in a gelled form. But it is difficult to practice the method, because the effect is insufficient if the heating temperature is too low, while the capsule surface often has wrinkle in the course of drying if the temperature is too high.
- DE-A-2,029,402 discloses a method whereby a capsule pin is dipped into a thermo-gelling solution and the pin is heated by electric induction to induce the gelling.
- an object of this invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use that have a uniform wall thickness, no wrinkle and excellent properties.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use that have a uniform wall thickness, no wrinkle and excellent properties.
- a further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus which enables mass-production of hard capsules for medicament use.
- Figs. 1A and 1B are partially sectional elevation views of manufacturing apparatus embodying the present invention.
- Figs. 2A and 2B are partially sectional side elevation views of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 3 is a partially sectional back side view of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IV-IV in Figs.1A and 3.
- Fig. 5 is a flow chart of method of manufacturing hard capsules.
- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of capsule pins.
- Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line VII-VII in Fig.1A.
- Fig. 8 is an illustration of working condition of a part of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of air nippers.
- Fig. 11 is a top view of air nippers.
- Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line XII-XII in Fig. 9.
- Fig. 13 is a drawing for illustrating working condition of a part of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 14 is a drawing for illustrating the process of coupling a pair of capsules.
- Fig. 15 is a sectional view of greasing device.
- Fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a control system in the above apparatus.
- Figs. 17A, 17B and 17C are flow charts of a program of the control system.
- the invention provides a method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- the invention also provides a method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- the invention provides an apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- the invention further provides an apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- the line comprises the following processes: (1) capsule pin greasing, (2) dipping the capsule pins into a solution of thermo-gelling material and pulling up them out from the solution, (3) uniform adhesion of the gelling solution by rotation of the capsule pins, (4) dipping the capsule pins into hot water and pulling up them out from the hot water, (5) drying, (6) removing, (7) trimming and (8) fitting.
- the capsule pins pass through from processes (1) to (6), and return to process (1), thus repeatedly circulating through these processes.
- the manufacturing apparatus is provided with two lines that include processes (1) to (7), which manufacture capsules of different diameters, respectively. A pair of capsules of different diameter are fitted into each other to form a complete capsule.
- thermo-gelling material preferably provides an aqueous solution capable of being gelled by heating.
- Solutions such as those of alkyl-cellulose, hydroxyalkyl-cellulose and hydroxyalkyl-alkyl-cellulose exemplified by methyl-cellulose, hydroxypropyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-methyl-cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose, hydroxybutyl-methyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl-hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose are suitable.
- These cellulose ethers should necessarily be soluble in water so that it is usually desirable that the amount of the substituent groups, i.e.
- alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups is at least 1.4 moles per mole of the glucose units.
- the viscosity of the aqueous solution prepared thereof is not particularly limitative.
- a 2%-aqueous solution which has a viscosity of 2 to 20 centipoise at 20° C, should usually be used for the invention. If the cellulose ether gives the aqueous solution of a higher viscosity than above, difficulties are encountered in practicing the inventive method unless the concentration of the dipping solution is decreased.
- the cellulose ether is nonionic having no reactivity with medicament ingredients with high safety.
- Derivatives with ionic substituent groups such as carboxy-alkyl groups and the like may react with the medicament eventually to cause denaturation, so that the derivatives cannot be used in the object for the invention.
- the cellulose ether is first dissolved in water in a predetermined concentration.
- the aqueous solution thus prepared should preferably have a concentration of about 10 to 30% and a viscosity of 1,000 to 15,000 centipoise.
- the wall thickness of capsules may be too small, if the concentration or viscosity is too low. Difficulties are caused in working, if the concentration or viscosity is too high.
- the aqueous solution is then freed from air bubbles by standing or by subjecting to pressure reduction. This aqueous solution, i.e. dipping solution, is adequately heated and capsule pins are dipped in and kept there for a predetermined length of time followed by pulling up from the solution.
- the capsule pins are usually at room temperature or may be optionally preheated beforehand to effect fine adjustment of the wall thickness. Thereafter, the coating pins are dipped in water at a higher temperature than the thermo-gelling temperature of the dipping solution so as to effect gelation of the aqueous solution of the cellulose ether. Following the dipping, capsule pins with the gel of cellulose ether are dried up by oven.
- the dried capsule portions are demounted from the pins and trimmed into a predetermined size to give a body of the capsule.
- the cap of the capsule having a slightly larger diameter than the body is shaped in the same manner. A pair of fitting cap and body is put into each other, so that a completed capsule for medicament use is given.
- the base material of the capsules may be admixed with other additives according to need and the additives here implied include modifiers such as polyvinyl-alcohol, plasticizers such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, sucrose and polyethylene-glycol, light-shielding agents such as titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and precipitated calcium carbonate and coloring agents such as water-soluble dyes and lakes.
- the pin may be coated with a mold-release agent such as cotton seed oil, liquid parafin and the like.
- FIGs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4 show only one of the two lines.
- the two lines are generally constructed in mirror image to each other, and the dimensions of the capsule pins differ a small amount between the two lines, so that capsules of one line fit into capsule of the other line to form complete capsules. Therefore, by the detailed description of one line, the details of the other line will be also understood.
- Figs. 1A(IA-IA) and 1B (IB-IB) are elevation part in sectional views of the apparatus, which connect to each other and are views taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IA ⁇ IB-IA ⁇ IB in Figs. 2A and 4.
- Figs. 2A (IIA-IIA) and 2B (IIB-IIB) are sectional views taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IIA ⁇ IIB-IIA ⁇ IIB in Figs. 1B and 3, which connect to each other.
- Fig. 3(III-III) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow along the line III-III in Figs. 2B and 4.
- Fig. 1A(IA-IA) and 1B (IB-IB) are elevation part in sectional views of the apparatus, which connect to each other and are views taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IA ⁇ IB-IA ⁇ IB in
- IV-IV is a view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IV-IV in Figs. 1A and 3.
- a plan layout of units shown in these figures forms an approximate quadrilateral, respective sides of which correspond to units shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, Figs. 2A and 2B, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.
- Capsule pins form capsules while circulating along these quardrilateral sides.
- Two or more capsule pins 2 are arranged and fixed on a base plate 50 as shown in Fig. 6.
- Each of pins 2 has a smoothly finished surface and a hemi-spherical tip.
- the pins 2 may be plated to give a-smooth surface.
- the base plates 50 are made of corrosion-resistant magnetic materials such as magnetic stainless steel or plated steel.
- a pair of guide benches 51 supports base plates 50 on the bottom face at the front and back sides of Fig. 1A, and each capsule pin 2 is positioned so that its tip is kept downside.
- An air piston 10 is arranged to push the base plates 50 standing in this position.
- a guide bench 51 is equipped with a sensor 102 to detect the base plate 50.
- An elevator 5 is adjacently arranged to the guide benches 51.
- the elevator 5 is driven by a linear motor 12 mounted on an upper chassis 48, whose drive shaft 55 is connected with the elevator 5.
- the body of the elevator 5 is of a box type whose left, right and bottom sides are open and has down-juts 56 which have angled boad of front and back sides, and the down-juts support base plates 50 at the front and back sides of Fig. 1A.
- the elevator 5 can support five base plates 50.
- base plates 50 with the pins 2 can be moved onto the down-juts 56 by the pushing action of a plunger 53 of air piston 10.
- a tank 4 arranged under elevator is filled with a dipping aqueous solution 3 of a thermo-gelling non-ionic cellulose ether, i.e. gelling material.
- the tank 4 is provided with an electric heater 58 and a thermo-couple 59, which are connected to a thermo-controller 200, and with a magnetic stirrer 60 serving to stir the solution 3, thus keeping constant temperature of the solution 3.
- the thermo-controller 200 may use a well known control system such as PID control.
- the tank 4 is equipped with a sensor 104 for detecting elevator 5. Under such conditions, capsule pins 2 are dipped into and taken out from the dipping solution 3.
- a linear motor 14 is mounted on the upper chassis 48 and push rods 62a and 62b are supported on a drive shaft 62 of linear motor 14.
- the push rods 62a and 62b are fitted with a stopper 63, respectively, so that they can swing clockwise but not counterclockwise.
- the home position of drive shaft 62 is shown with solid lines in Fig. 1A, whose tip is positioned near the center of the elevator 5.
- One end of the push rod 62a is in contact with a pin plate 50 which is nearest one of base plates 50 in the elevator 5 to the guide benches 51.
- a revolving cylinder 11 is arranged close to the elevator 5. It is provided, as shown in Fig. 7 (sectional view VII-VII), with two grooves 11a and 11b which are the counter direction on the both-inside wall to support base plates 50 with pins 2.
- the revolving cylinder 11 is held at the outer surface by a revolvable bearing device 65, and a peripheral gear 66 of the cylinder is meshed with a drive gear 67 of a motor 16.
- the faces of grooves 11a and 11b that support base plates 50 are flush with the upper surface of down-juts 56 when elevator 5 is in its home position.
- an elevator 7 is arranged close to the revolving cylinder 11, in connection with drive shaft 69 of a linear motor 18 mounted on the chassis 48.
- the shape of the elevator 7 is the same as that of the elevator 5 which has been already described.
- the top faces of the down-juts 70 of the elevator 7 are flush with the faces of the grooves 11a and 11b of the revolving cylinder 11 which support base plates 50 with pins 2 so that the pushing action of the push rod 62b slides the base plates 50 into the elevator 7.
- a sensor 106 is fitted at the end of the elevator 7 to detect the push rod 62b, and a hot water vessel 6 is located under the elevator 7.
- An electric heater 72 and a thermo-couple 73 which are connected with a thermo-controller 199, and a magnetic stirrer 75 to keep constant the temperature of the hot water are installed inside the vessel 6.
- a sensor 108 to detect the elevator 7 is also fitted to the vessel 6. In this section, capsule pins are dipped into and taken out from the hot water, and thus gelation of the solution adhering to the capsule pins is accelerated, forming capsules.
- a belt conveyor 77 is arranged adjacent to the elevator 7, on which carrying frames 78 can ride.
- the carrying face of the frame 78 is flush with the top face of the down-juts 70 of the elevator 7 so that base plates 50 with pins 2 can be transferred from the elevator 7 onto a carrying frame 78 by a hooked bar 81 fitted to shaft 80 of a linear motor 20.
- a sensor 112 is installed at an unmoving part of the belt conveyor 77 to detect a carrying frame 78.
- carrying frames 78 with base plates 50 on the belt conveyor 77 pass through a drying chamber 8.
- the drying chamber 8 is provided with pipes 82 which have a number of holes on their side faces, and through which dry air at a temperature of about 50 °C is blown into chamber 8 for drying.
- the belt conveyor 77 driven by a motor 22, carries carrying frames 78 from point P shown in Fig. 2A to point Q in Fig. 2B.
- a sensor 114 detects arrival of a base plate 50 at point Q. Once a base plate 50 is transferred from point P to point Q, the base plate has to be unloaded from the carrying frame 78 by a means described later, and the carrying frame 78 returned from point Q to point P.
- it can be considered to install another conveyor, to fix carrying frames 78 onto belt conveyor 77 and provide under the belt conveyor 77 a large space enough to pass carrying frames 78, or to return manually the carrying frames 78.
- a base plate 50 with pins 2 placed on carrying frame 78 runs down one by one on an inclined roller conveyor 84.
- an electromagnet 26 holds a base plate 50 and stops its forward movement.
- electromagnet 26 with the base plate 50 is turned back by a means described later, the next base plate 50 is placed on a fixed stand 85 and checked by a stopper 86.
- the fixed stand 85 is equipped with a sensor 116 to detect a base plate 50.
- two turning plates 88 with a common shaft 88a are arranged with a space approximately equal to the length of a base plate 50.
- Turning plates 88 are driven by a motor 28. In a space between them an electro magnet 26 is fitted as if it bridges both plates 88. When the electromagnet 26 comes down to the lowest level by turning the plates 88, it picks up a base plate from placed on the fixed stand 85, and is turning soon. Furthermore, sensors 128, 118 and 126 are arranged to detect the electromagnet 26 in the lowest, highest (1/2 turn) and just at the middle positions on the right side (3/4 turn), respectively. When electromagnet 26 comes down to the lowest position, it pulls a base plate 50. While turning together with turning plates 88, the electromagnet 26 brings the base plate with pins 2 to the highest position. In this position, a formed capsule is removed from the capsule pins.
- Means for removing, trimming and fitting the capsules are arranged above turning plates 88.
- the means for removing capsules includes an oil pressure ram 30 and air nippers 32.
- oil pressure ram 30 is pulled into the cylinder 30a, a swinging part 91 is pulled by the ram 30 through a spring 90, and a link bar 93 which turns en bloc with the swinging part 91, comes in contact with a stopper 92, and thus the swinging part 91 is positioned perpendicularly to ram 30.
- the ram 30 is pushed out from the cylinder 30a and comes down.
- the swinging part 91 is pushed by the counteraction of the link bar 93 held against stopper 92, and the swinging part 91 also begins to swing counterclockwise against the pulling-back force of the spring 90.
- the swinging part 91 swings beyond a critical position relative to swinging axis 95, the swinging part 91 is abruptly swung by the pulling force of the spring 90, so that the link bar 93 hits against a stopper 96 and is positioned in line with the ram 30.
- a sensor 120 detects this alignment of link bar 93 and the ram 30. Upon the detection of the alignment, the ram 30 comes down gradually and stops at a given position.
- a base plate 50 with pins 2 carried by the turning plates 88 has just come to the highest level of the turning plates 88. This condition is shown in Fig. 8. It is detected by a sensor 122 that the ram 30 has come down to position.
- Fig. 9 shows a view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8.
- the turning part 91 fits with a frame 98 equipped with air nippers 32.
- nipping bars 32a and 32b of the nippers 32 have semicircular cuts the inner diameter of which fits the outside diameter of capsule pins 2.
- Fig. 10 shows the state where the air nippers 32 are kept released from the air pressure so that the nipping bars 32a and 32b have opened, i.e. separated from each other.
- nippers 32 When the ram 30 stops at a given position,and compressed air is introduced into nippers 32, the nipping bars 32a and 32b close and nip capsule pins 2 at a near place to their root.
- Fig. 11 A birds-eye view of this condition within the limits of nippers 32, capsule pins 2 and some related parts is shown in Fig. 11.
- frame 98 is equipped with an oil pressure cylinder 34a and a female die 38.
- the oil pressure ram 34 of the oil pressure cylinder 34a is provided with plungers 40 aligned at the same pitch as that of the capsule pins 2 on a base plate 50.
- a female die 38 has holes arranged also at the same pitch as the capsule pins 2.
- the cross section along the line XII-XII direction is detailed in Fig. 12.
- the diameter of the holes of female die 38 changes at mid-depth from larger size to smaller.
- Larger hole 38a has such a diameter that a capsule pin 2 to which dried capsule still adheres fits closely to hole 38a, and that small hole 38b has such a diameter that a plunger 40 can loosely pass through hole 38b.
- the nipping bars 32a and 32b slidably hold the capsule pins 2 at a part of pin 2 to which dried capsule is not adhering (the near part to the base plate 50). Therefore, if the frame 98 is lifted vertically from the state as shown in Fig. 12, capsules 1 are kept fitted closely to the female die 38, and removed from capsule pins 2, thus completing the capsules removing process.
- FIG. 13 A partial sectional view of the above condition is shown in Fig. 13. This condition is detected by a sensor 124. As a cutter knife 43 is arranged close to the swinging locus of the face of female die 38, an end 1a of capsules 1 is cut by swinging the die 38 therefore capsules 1 are trimmed and a uniform length.
- a coupling die 44 is arranged close to the female die 38.
- the coupling die 44 has through holes and the inside of one of them is stepped to different diameters in the middle of the hole.
- the diameter of a smaller-diameter part 44a of the hole is so large that a capsule 1 can slide inside the part 44a.
- the diameter of a larger-diameter part 44b of the hole is so large that the part 44b can be fitted with a capsule 100 which has a slighly larger outer diameter than that of a capsule 1 and is manufactured using the other line of the apparatus arranged in the mirror image to that for manufacturing capsules 1, as described above.
- Coupling die 44 holds capsules 100 manufactured through the same processes as described already.
- the coupling die 44 is provided with a sensor 130 to detect that capsule 100 is correctly held in a hole of die 44. In this condition, the ram 34 is pressed down from the cylinder 34a, the plunger 40 pushes capsules 1 to make each capsule 1 fit into a capsule 100, and the coupled capsules 1 and 100 are then pushed out of coupling die 44 as shown in Fig. 14.
- Fig. 3 after capsules 1 are removed from the capsule pins 2 of the base plate 50 when the electromagnet 26 mounted on the turning plates 88 comes to the top position, turning plates 88 turn further by 1/4 turn with base plate 50 so that electromagnet 26 faces to the right side and the base plate 50 faces to a holder 45.
- the receiving face of the holder 45 is set only at the sections corresponding to both end parts of the base plate 50 so as not to interrupt the turning of capsule pins 2 (see Fig. 4).
- the electromagnet 26 stops pulling at this step.
- a linear motor 36 is arranged to be able to push the base plate 50 in this state.
- greasing device 47 has soft brushes 57 in the space through which capsule pin 2 passes, and tubes 61a and 61b for circulating grease to facilitate removal of capsule 1 from capsule pin 2.
- the grease is e.g. liquid paraffin, edible oil or silicone oil.
- Control of operation of the above-mentioned apparatus which composed of a schematic block diagram shown in Fig. 16, drives respective drive devices 10 to 30 while detecting timing by sensors 102 to 130.
- the programs shown in the flow charts of Figs. 17A, 17B and 17C are stored in the read only memory (ROM) area of the control circuit of the block diagram.
- the operation control of steps 201 to 250 is conducted according to the procedure illustrated in the flow charts.
- a sensor 102 Upon start of the control system, a sensor 102 detects the presence of a base plate 50 (201). If not, the system stays in a state of waiting. If the presence of a base plate 50 is detected, an air piston 10 enters into reciprocating motion (202). Every time the piston 10 reciprocates, one of the base plates 50 is delivered to an elevator 5. After five reciprocating cycles of the air piston 10 (203), a linear motor 12 is driven once to advance (204). When a sensor 104 detects completion of dipping capsule pins 2 into a gelling solution 3 (205), a linear motor 12 is reversed (206). Then a linear motor 14 is advanced (207).
- a sensor 106 detects the presence of a push rod 62b (208), this detection tells that by the pushing action of the push rod 62a, five base plates 50 have been transferred into a revolving cylinder 11.
- the linear motor 14 is driven to reverse (209), and reversion of the motor 14 is ascertained (210), so that the push rod 62b does not prevent the subsequent operation.
- a specified number of rotations of motor 16 causes the revolving cylinder 11 to revolve only one cycle.
- a linear motor 20 is reciprocated (219) to transfer base plates 50 from elevator 7 onto carrying frame 78 by a hooked bar 81.
- a motor 28 rotates in the normal direction (240) and, upon detection of the base plate 50 by a sensor 126 (241), the motor 28 stops (242), to face the base plate 50 toward a holder 45. Then, the electromagnet 26 stops pulling (243) and a linear motor 36 reciprocates one cycle (244), the base plate 50 with capsule pins 2 comes back to the starting position (position detected at the step 201) through a greasing device 47. After the linear motor 36 reciprocates one cycle at the step (244) a motor 28 rotates reversely (245), and upon detection of the presence of a electromagnet 26 by a sensor 128 (246), the operation returns to the step 224. These operations are repeated.
- an oil pressure ram 30 is stopped at step 239, and if it is detected by a sensor 130 that a capsule 100 is correctly fitted into a coupling die 44 (247), an oil pressure ram 34 is pushed (248). It is confirmed by discontinuation of signal output from the sensor 130 (249) that capsule 100 with capsule 1 has fallen off from coupling die 44. Then the ram 34 is pulled back (250). Thus the operation returns to the step 227. These operations are repeated.
- the program in the above description is of a serial control.
- parallel controls are also applicable to the control system of this invention.
- the downward motion of an elevator 5 by a linear motor 12 and that of an elevator 7 by a linear motor 18 may be conducted in parallel controls.
- a dipping solution was prepared by dissolving a hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose, comprising 10 weight % hydroxypropoxy groups and 29 weight % methoxy groups of a 2% aqueous solution having a viscosity of 6 centipoise at 20 ° C, in water in a concentration of 22% followed by standing overnight and removing of bubbles under vacuum. Pins for #3 capsule coated beforehand with liquid paraffin were dipped in this dipping solution warmed at 40°C and pulled up out of the solution. After the drop at the pin heads had dripped, the pins were turned upside down and kept standing for 25 seconds.
- the pins were then dipped in hot water at 85°C for 10 seconds and transferred into a drying oven kept at 55°C where they were kept for 30 minutes, so that the gelled solution was dried up to give a shaped form of capsules.
- the shaped forms were removed from the pins and trimmed into a predetermined size to give capsule bodies.
- capsule bodies were free of wrinkle and had a uniform wall thickness of 0.12 mm at the head and 0.10 to 0.11 mm at the cylindrical trunk.
- Caps were prepared in the same manner as above.
- a dipping solution having a sold content of 22% was prepared by blending a 22.2 % aqueous solution of 100 parts of the same above example 1. hydroxypropyl-methyle-cellulose and a dispersion of 2 parts of titanium-dioxide (A-110, product by Sakai Chemical Co.) in a calculated amount of water followed by standing overnight and removal of bubbles under vacuum. Subsequently, a capsule containing a light-shielding agent was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The capsules were free of wrinkle and had a uniform wall thickness. The disintegration time thereof was 6.0 minutes as determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
- An aqueous solution having a solid content of 18% was prepared by dissolving 97 parts of a hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, comprising 5 weight % hydroxypropoxyl groups and 28 weight % methoxyl groups, respectively, and a 2% aqueous solution having a viscosity of 12 centipoise at 20°C and 3 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification of 88 mole % and 5 centipoise viscosity of 4% aqueous solution at 25°C, in water and after standing overnight. The solution was freed of bubbles under vacuum to give a dipping solution.
- Capsule pins for #3 capsule coated with liquid paraffin and heated at 50°C beforehand were dipped in the dipping solution kept at room temperature followed by the same procedure as in Example 1. to give capsules.
- the capsules were free of wrinkle and had an uniform wall thickness.
- the disintegration time thereof was measured to give a value of 9.5 minutes.
- a dipping solution was prepared by dissolving a hydroxypropyl cellulose, comprising 63 weight % hydroxypropoxy groups having a viscosity of 6 centipoise in a 2% aqueous solution at 20° C, in water in a concentration of 21% followed by standing overnight and removing of bubbles under vacuum.
- Capsule pins for #3 capsule coated with liquid paraffin beforehand were dipped in the dipping solution followed by the same procedure as in Example 1. except that the temperature of the hot water was 70°C to give capsules. The capsules were free of wrinkle and had an uniform wall thickness. The disintegration time thereof was measured to give a value of 6.0 minutes.
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Description
- This invention relates to a method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use and to manufacturing equipment suitable for mass-production of hard capsules for medicament use.
- Gelatin has been used as a thermo-gelling material of hard capsules for medicament use. However, the gelatin has such problems that it may interact with medicament ingredients and that the control of the moisture content of capsules is troublesome for storage and handling thereof.
- With an object to overcome the above described disadvantage of gelatin-made capsules, there have been proposed methods of a cellulose ether substituted with alkyl groups or hydroxyalkyl groups being melted by heat and shaped, and methods of molding pins being dipped in a solution of an organic solvent or in an aqueous solution and the solution shaped by coating the pins with the solution.
- The method of melt-shaping with heat has problems that uniformity of the capsules can hardly be ensured and discoloration into yellow to brown may sometimes take place by the heat during shaping. The method of dipping in an organic solution has the disadvantage that the solvent, which is toxic to human body, may remain in the capsules, in addition to the troublesome handling of the solvent. In the method of dipping in the aqueous solution, after pulling up the molding pins from the solution, the solution adhering to the pins sags down, so that it is difficult to prepare a capsule of uniform wall thickness. To improve this method it has been proposed that the molding pins are heated in advance and that the solution adheres to the surface of the pin in a gelled form. But it is difficult to practice the method, because the effect is insufficient if the heating temperature is too low, while the capsule surface often has wrinkle in the course of drying if the temperature is too high.
- The above-mentioned materials and methods are disclosed in US patent No. 3,493,407, US patent No. 4,001,211, US patent No. 2,810,659, US patent No. 2,526,683 and US patent No. 3,617,588.
- Machines for making capsules are also disclosed in US patent No. 1,787,777
- DE-A-2,029,402 discloses a method whereby a capsule pin is dipped into a thermo-gelling solution and the pin is heated by electric induction to induce the gelling.
- As the result of our researches to remove the above defects, we have eventually found a method of shaping hard 5 capsules for medicament use having a uniform wall thickness without having wrinkel from an aqueous solution of a cellulose ether.
- Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide an improved method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use that have a uniform wall thickness, no wrinkle and excellent properties.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use that have a uniform wall thickness, no wrinkle and excellent properties.
- A further object of this invention is to provide an improved apparatus which enables mass-production of hard capsules for medicament use.
- The above and further objects and novel features of this invention will more fully appear from the following detailed description when the same is read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.
- Figs. 1A and 1B are partially sectional elevation views of manufacturing apparatus embodying the present invention.
- Figs. 2A and 2B are partially sectional side elevation views of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 3 is a partially sectional back side view of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IV-IV in Figs.1A and 3.
- Fig. 5 is a flow chart of method of manufacturing hard capsules.
- Fig. 6 is a perspective view of capsule pins.
- Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line VII-VII in Fig.1A.
- Fig. 8 is an illustration of working condition of a part of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8.
- Fig. 10 is a perspective view of air nippers.
- Fig. 11 is a top view of air nippers.
- Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line XII-XII in Fig. 9.
- Fig. 13 is a drawing for illustrating working condition of a part of the above apparatus.
- Fig. 14 is a drawing for illustrating the process of coupling a pair of capsules.
- Fig. 15 is a sectional view of greasing device.
- Fig. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a control system in the above apparatus.
- Figs. 17A, 17B and 17C are flow charts of a program of the control system.
- The invention provides a method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- (a) dipping capsule pins in a solution of thermo-gelling material and pulling up said capsule pins from there,
- (b) gelatinizing said solution adhered to said capsule pins,
- (c) drying said gelatinized solution to form hard capsules and
- (d) removing said hard capsules from said capsule pins,
- The invention also provides a method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- (a) dipping capsule pins in a solution of thermo-gelling material and pulling up said capsule pins from there,
- (b) revolving said capsule pins at least 180°,
- (c) gelatinizing said solution adhered to said capsule pins,
- (d) drying said gelatinized solution to form hard capsules and
- (e) removing said hard capsules from said capsule pins,
- In addition, the invention provides an apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- (a) a means for circulating capsule pins through the following from (b) to (e),
- (b) a tank filled with a solution of thermo-gelling material and means for dipping said capsule pins in said tank and pulling up said capsule pins from there,
- (c) a vessel filled with thermally controlled water at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature of said solution and means for retaining said capsule pins in said vessel,
- (d) a drying device for removing solvent of said solution adhering to said capsule pins,
- (e) a means for removing capsules formed by the dried thermo-gelling material from said capsule pins.
- The invention further provides an apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:
- (a) a means for circulating capsule pins through the following from (b) to (f),
- (b) a tank filled with a solution of thermo-gelling material and means for dipping said capsule pins in said tank and pulling up said capsule pins from there,
- (c) a means for revolving said capsule pins with said solution at least 180°,
- (d) a vessel filled with thermally controlled water at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature of said solution and means for retaining said capsule pins in said vessel,
- (e) a drying device for removing solvent of said solution adhering to said capsule pins,
- (f) a means for removing capsules formed by the dried thermogelling material from said capsule pins.
- Our method of the manufacturing hard capsules by using the apparatus will be explained with reference to the flow chart line in Fig. 5.
- The line comprises the following processes: (1) capsule pin greasing, (2) dipping the capsule pins into a solution of thermo-gelling material and pulling up them out from the solution, (3) uniform adhesion of the gelling solution by rotation of the capsule pins, (4) dipping the capsule pins into hot water and pulling up them out from the hot water, (5) drying, (6) removing, (7) trimming and (8) fitting. The capsule pins pass through from processes (1) to (6), and return to process (1), thus repeatedly circulating through these processes. The manufacturing apparatus is provided with two lines that include processes (1) to (7), which manufacture capsules of different diameters, respectively. A pair of capsules of different diameter are fitted into each other to form a complete capsule.
- The above-mentioned solution of the thermo-gelling material preferably provides an aqueous solution capable of being gelled by heating. Solutions such as those of alkyl-cellulose, hydroxyalkyl-cellulose and hydroxyalkyl-alkyl-cellulose exemplified by methyl-cellulose, hydroxypropyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-methyl-cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose, hydroxybutyl-methyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl-hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose are suitable. These cellulose ethers should necessarily be soluble in water so that it is usually desirable that the amount of the substituent groups, i.e. alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups, is at least 1.4 moles per mole of the glucose units. The viscosity of the aqueous solution prepared thereof is not particularly limitative. A 2%-aqueous solution, which has a viscosity of 2 to 20 centipoise at 20° C, should usually be used for the invention. If the cellulose ether gives the aqueous solution of a higher viscosity than above, difficulties are encountered in practicing the inventive method unless the concentration of the dipping solution is decreased.
- The cellulose ether is nonionic having no reactivity with medicament ingredients with high safety. Derivatives with ionic substituent groups such as carboxy-alkyl groups and the like may react with the medicament eventually to cause denaturation, so that the derivatives cannot be used in the object for the invention.
- In practicing the method for the manufacturing of the capsules, the cellulose ether is first dissolved in water in a predetermined concentration. The aqueous solution thus prepared should preferably have a concentration of about 10 to 30% and a viscosity of 1,000 to 15,000 centipoise. The wall thickness of capsules may be too small, if the concentration or viscosity is too low. Difficulties are caused in working, if the concentration or viscosity is too high. The aqueous solution is then freed from air bubbles by standing or by subjecting to pressure reduction. This aqueous solution, i.e. dipping solution, is adequately heated and capsule pins are dipped in and kept there for a predetermined length of time followed by pulling up from the solution. The capsule pins are usually at room temperature or may be optionally preheated beforehand to effect fine adjustment of the wall thickness. Thereafter, the coating pins are dipped in water at a higher temperature than the thermo-gelling temperature of the dipping solution so as to effect gelation of the aqueous solution of the cellulose ether. Following the dipping, capsule pins with the gel of cellulose ether are dried up by oven.
- The dried capsule portions are demounted from the pins and trimmed into a predetermined size to give a body of the capsule. Separately, the cap of the capsule having a slightly larger diameter than the body is shaped in the same manner. A pair of fitting cap and body is put into each other, so that a completed capsule for medicament use is given. The base material of the capsules may be admixed with other additives according to need and the additives here implied include modifiers such as polyvinyl-alcohol, plasticizers such as glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, sucrose and polyethylene-glycol, light-shielding agents such as titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and precipitated calcium carbonate and coloring agents such as water-soluble dyes and lakes. In order to facilitate demounting of the shaped form of capsule from the pin, the pin may be coated with a mold-release agent such as cotton seed oil, liquid parafin and the like.
- A preferred embodiment of apparatus of this invention is shown in Figs. 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3 and 4. For practical reasons these drawings show only one of the two lines. The two lines are generally constructed in mirror image to each other, and the dimensions of the capsule pins differ a small amount between the two lines, so that capsules of one line fit into capsule of the other line to form complete capsules. Therefore, by the detailed description of one line, the details of the other line will be also understood.
- Figs. 1A(IA-IA) and 1B (IB-IB) are elevation part in sectional views of the apparatus, which connect to each other and are views taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IA·IB-IA·IB in Figs. 2A and 4. Figs. 2A (IIA-IIA) and 2B (IIB-IIB) are sectional views taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IIA·IIB-IIA·IIB in Figs. 1B and 3, which connect to each other. Fig. 3(III-III) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow along the line III-III in Figs. 2B and 4. Fig. 4 (IV-IV) is a view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IV-IV in Figs. 1A and 3. A plan layout of units shown in these figures forms an approximate quadrilateral, respective sides of which correspond to units shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, Figs. 2A and 2B, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. Capsule pins form capsules while circulating along these quardrilateral sides.
- Two or
more capsule pins 2 are arranged and fixed on abase plate 50 as shown in Fig. 6. Each ofpins 2 has a smoothly finished surface and a hemi-spherical tip. Thepins 2 may be plated to give a-smooth surface. Thebase plates 50 are made of corrosion-resistant magnetic materials such as magnetic stainless steel or plated steel. - Though there is no specific starting point nor end point of
capsule pins 2 in the processes because the capsule pins 2 are always circulating to continuously produce capsules 1, the description is started from the means to dipcapsule pins 2 after greasing into the gelling solution. - As shown in Fig. 1A, a pair of
guide benches 51supports base plates 50 on the bottom face at the front and back sides of Fig. 1A, and eachcapsule pin 2 is positioned so that its tip is kept downside. Anair piston 10 is arranged to push thebase plates 50 standing in this position. Aguide bench 51 is equipped with asensor 102 to detect thebase plate 50. - An
elevator 5 is adjacently arranged to theguide benches 51. Theelevator 5 is driven by alinear motor 12 mounted on anupper chassis 48, whosedrive shaft 55 is connected with theelevator 5. The body of theelevator 5 is of a box type whose left, right and bottom sides are open and has down-juts 56 which have angled boad of front and back sides, and the down-jutssupport base plates 50 at the front and back sides of Fig. 1A. Theelevator 5 can support fivebase plates 50. When theelevator 5 is in the position, shown in Fig. 1A,i.e. home position,base plates 50 with thepins 2 can be moved onto the down-juts 56 by the pushing action of aplunger 53 ofair piston 10. A tank 4 arranged under elevator is filled with a dippingaqueous solution 3 of a thermo-gelling non-ionic cellulose ether, i.e. gelling material. The tank 4 is provided with anelectric heater 58 and a thermo-couple 59, which are connected to a thermo-controller 200, and with a magnetic stirrer 60 serving to stir thesolution 3, thus keeping constant temperature of thesolution 3. The thermo-controller 200 may use a well known control system such as PID control. The tank 4 is equipped with asensor 104 for detectingelevator 5. Under such conditions, capsule pins 2 are dipped into and taken out from thedipping solution 3. - A
linear motor 14 is mounted on theupper chassis 48 and pushrods 62a and 62b are supported on adrive shaft 62 oflinear motor 14. Thepush rods 62a and 62b are fitted with astopper 63, respectively, so that they can swing clockwise but not counterclockwise. The home position ofdrive shaft 62 is shown with solid lines in Fig. 1A, whose tip is positioned near the center of theelevator 5. One end of the push rod 62a is in contact with apin plate 50 which is nearest one ofbase plates 50 in theelevator 5 to theguide benches 51. - A revolving cylinder 11 is arranged close to the
elevator 5. It is provided, as shown in Fig. 7 (sectional view VII-VII), with two grooves 11a and 11b which are the counter direction on the both-inside wall to supportbase plates 50 withpins 2. The revolving cylinder 11 is held at the outer surface by arevolvable bearing device 65, and aperipheral gear 66 of the cylinder is meshed with adrive gear 67 of amotor 16. In such condition as shown in Fig. 1A, the faces of grooves 11a and 11b that supportbase plates 50 are flush with the upper surface of down-juts 56 whenelevator 5 is in its home position. When the push rod 62a pushesbase plates 50 in theelevator 5, thebase plates 50 are sliding along into the revolving cylinder 11. By rotation ofcapsule pins 2 in the cylinder 11, the process of uniform adhesion of the gelling solution to thepins 2 is conducted. - As shown in Fig. 1B, an
elevator 7 is arranged close to the revolving cylinder 11, in connection withdrive shaft 69 of alinear motor 18 mounted on thechassis 48. The shape of theelevator 7 is the same as that of theelevator 5 which has been already described. When theelevator 7 is in its home position as shown in Fig. 1B, the top faces of the down-juts 70 of theelevator 7 are flush with the faces of the grooves 11a and 11b of the revolving cylinder 11 whichsupport base plates 50 withpins 2 so that the pushing action of thepush rod 62b slides thebase plates 50 into theelevator 7. Asensor 106 is fitted at the end of theelevator 7 to detect thepush rod 62b, and ahot water vessel 6 is located under theelevator 7. Anelectric heater 72 and a thermo-couple 73 which are connected with a thermo-controller 199, and amagnetic stirrer 75 to keep constant the temperature of the hot water are installed inside thevessel 6. Asensor 108 to detect theelevator 7 is also fitted to thevessel 6. In this section, capsule pins are dipped into and taken out from the hot water, and thus gelation of the solution adhering to the capsule pins is accelerated, forming capsules. - A
belt conveyor 77 is arranged adjacent to theelevator 7, on which carrying frames 78 can ride. The carrying face of theframe 78 is flush with the top face of the down-juts 70 of theelevator 7 so thatbase plates 50 withpins 2 can be transferred from theelevator 7 onto a carryingframe 78 by a hookedbar 81 fitted toshaft 80 of alinear motor 20. Asensor 112 is installed at an unmoving part of thebelt conveyor 77 to detect a carryingframe 78. - As shown in Figs. 2A and 2B, carrying
frames 78 withbase plates 50 on thebelt conveyor 77, pass through a dryingchamber 8. The dryingchamber 8 is provided withpipes 82 which have a number of holes on their side faces, and through which dry air at a temperature of about 50 °C is blown intochamber 8 for drying. Thebelt conveyor 77, driven by amotor 22, carries carryingframes 78 from point P shown in Fig. 2A to point Q in Fig. 2B. Asensor 114 detects arrival of abase plate 50 at point Q. Once abase plate 50 is transferred from point P to point Q, the base plate has to be unloaded from the carryingframe 78 by a means described later, and the carryingframe 78 returned from point Q to point P. As the returning method, it can be considered to install another conveyor, to fix carryingframes 78 ontobelt conveyor 77 and provide under the belt conveyor 77 a large space enough to pass carryingframes 78, or to return manually the carrying frames 78. - As shown in Fig. 3, by the pushing action of a
shaft 83 of alinear motor 24, abase plate 50 withpins 2 placed on carryingframe 78 runs down one by one on aninclined roller conveyor 84. In the condition shown in Fig. 3, anelectromagnet 26 holds abase plate 50 and stops its forward movement. Then onceelectromagnet 26 with thebase plate 50 is turned back by a means described later, thenext base plate 50 is placed on a fixedstand 85 and checked by astopper 86. The fixedstand 85 is equipped with asensor 116 to detect abase plate 50. Above the fixedstand 85, two turningplates 88 with acommon shaft 88a are arranged with a space approximately equal to the length of abase plate 50. Turningplates 88 are driven by amotor 28. In a space between them anelectro magnet 26 is fitted as if it bridges bothplates 88. When theelectromagnet 26 comes down to the lowest level by turning theplates 88, it picks up a base plate from placed on the fixedstand 85, and is turning soon. Furthermore,sensors electromagnet 26 in the lowest, highest (1/2 turn) and just at the middle positions on the right side (3/4 turn), respectively. Whenelectromagnet 26 comes down to the lowest position, it pulls abase plate 50. While turning together with turningplates 88, theelectromagnet 26 brings the base plate withpins 2 to the highest position. In this position, a formed capsule is removed from the capsule pins. - Means for removing, trimming and fitting the capsules are arranged above turning
plates 88. - The means for removing capsules includes an
oil pressure ram 30 andair nippers 32. Whenoil pressure ram 30 is pulled into thecylinder 30a, a swingingpart 91 is pulled by theram 30 through aspring 90, and alink bar 93 which turns en bloc with the swingingpart 91, comes in contact with astopper 92, and thus the swingingpart 91 is positioned perpendicularly to ram 30. Theram 30 is pushed out from thecylinder 30a and comes down. The swingingpart 91 is pushed by the counteraction of thelink bar 93 held againststopper 92, and the swingingpart 91 also begins to swing counterclockwise against the pulling-back force of thespring 90. As soon as the swingingpart 91 swings beyond a critical position relative to swingingaxis 95, the swingingpart 91 is abruptly swung by the pulling force of thespring 90, so that thelink bar 93 hits against astopper 96 and is positioned in line with theram 30. Asensor 120 detects this alignment oflink bar 93 and theram 30. Upon the detection of the alignment, theram 30 comes down gradually and stops at a given position. - When the
ram 30 stops, abase plate 50 withpins 2 carried by the turningplates 88 has just come to the highest level of the turningplates 88. This condition is shown in Fig. 8. It is detected by asensor 122 that theram 30 has come down to position. - Fig. 9 shows a view taken in the direction of the arrows along the line IX-IX in Fig. 8. As shown in this figure, the turning
part 91 fits with aframe 98 equipped withair nippers 32. As shown in Fig. 10, nippingbars nippers 32 have semicircular cuts the inner diameter of which fits the outside diameter of capsule pins 2. Fig. 10 shows the state where theair nippers 32 are kept released from the air pressure so that the nipping bars 32a and 32b have opened, i.e. separated from each other. When theram 30 stops at a given position,and compressed air is introduced intonippers 32, the nipping bars 32a and 32b close and nip capsule pins 2 at a near place to their root. A birds-eye view of this condition within the limits ofnippers 32, capsule pins 2 and some related parts is shown in Fig. 11. As shown in Fig. 9,frame 98 is equipped with an oil pressure cylinder 34a and afemale die 38. Theoil pressure ram 34 of the oil pressure cylinder 34a is provided withplungers 40 aligned at the same pitch as that of the capsule pins 2 on abase plate 50. A female die 38 has holes arranged also at the same pitch as the capsule pins 2. The cross section along the line XII-XII direction is detailed in Fig. 12. The diameter of the holes of female die 38 changes at mid-depth from larger size to smaller.Larger hole 38a has such a diameter that acapsule pin 2 to which dried capsule still adheres fits closely tohole 38a, and thatsmall hole 38b has such a diameter that aplunger 40 can loosely pass throughhole 38b. As shown in Fig. 12, the nipping bars 32a and 32b slidably hold the capsule pins 2 at a part ofpin 2 to which dried capsule is not adhering (the near part to the base plate 50). Therefore, if theframe 98 is lifted vertically from the state as shown in Fig. 12, capsules 1 are kept fitted closely to thefemale die 38, and removed fromcapsule pins 2, thus completing the capsules removing process. - If, starting from the state as shown in Fig. 8, the
oil pressure ram 30 moves up and accordingly the swingingpart 91 rises vertically, capsules 1 held in female die 38 are removed from the capsule pins 2 and then, theair nippes 32 are opened. As the swingingpart 91 rises, aslant 93a of thelink bar 93 comes to contact with and is pushed by aguide pin 41, so thatlink bar 93 swings clockwise against the pulling-back force of thespring 90. As soon as thelink bar 93 swings beyond a critical position relative to swingingaxis 95, the swingingpart 91 is abruptly swung by the pulling-force of thespring 90, so thatlink bar 93 hits against astopper 92 and is positioned perpendicularly to theram 30. A partial sectional view of the above condition is shown in Fig. 13. This condition is detected by asensor 124. As acutter knife 43 is arranged close to the swinging locus of the face offemale die 38, an end 1a of capsules 1 is cut by swinging the die 38 therefore capsules 1 are trimmed and a uniform length. - In the condition where female die 38 has swung as described above (see Fig. 13), a
coupling die 44 is arranged close to thefemale die 38. The coupling die 44 has through holes and the inside of one of them is stepped to different diameters in the middle of the hole. The diameter of a smaller-diameter part 44a of the hole is so large that a capsule 1 can slide inside the part 44a. The diameter of a larger-diameter part 44b of the hole is so large that thepart 44b can be fitted with acapsule 100 which has a slighly larger outer diameter than that of a capsule 1 and is manufactured using the other line of the apparatus arranged in the mirror image to that for manufacturing capsules 1, as described above. Coupling die 44 holdscapsules 100 manufactured through the same processes as described already. The coupling die 44 is provided with asensor 130 to detect thatcapsule 100 is correctly held in a hole ofdie 44. In this condition, theram 34 is pressed down from the cylinder 34a, theplunger 40 pushes capsules 1 to make each capsule 1 fit into acapsule 100, and the coupledcapsules 1 and 100 are then pushed out of coupling die 44 as shown in Fig. 14. - On the other hand, in Fig. 3, after capsules 1 are removed from the capsule pins 2 of the
base plate 50 when theelectromagnet 26 mounted on theturning plates 88 comes to the top position, turningplates 88 turn further by 1/4 turn withbase plate 50 so thatelectromagnet 26 faces to the right side and thebase plate 50 faces to aholder 45. The receiving face of theholder 45 is set only at the sections corresponding to both end parts of thebase plate 50 so as not to interrupt the turning of capsule pins 2 (see Fig. 4). Theelectromagnet 26 stops pulling at this step. Alinear motor 36 is arranged to be able to push thebase plate 50 in this state. By the pushing action of thelinear motor 36, thebase plate 50 is pushed out from theholder 45 and passes through aslide rail 46, agreasing device 47 and anotherslide rail 49. At the end ofslide rail 49, a fallingguide way 54 and, thereunder, a pair ofguide benches 51 are arranged (see Fig. 1A). As shown in Fig. 15, greasingdevice 47 hassoft brushes 57 in the space through whichcapsule pin 2 passes, and tubes 61a and 61b for circulating grease to facilitate removal of capsule 1 fromcapsule pin 2. It is preferable that the grease is e.g. liquid paraffin, edible oil or silicone oil. - Control of operation of the above-mentioned apparatus, which composed of a schematic block diagram shown in Fig. 16, drives
respective drive devices 10 to 30 while detecting timing bysensors 102 to 130. The programs shown in the flow charts of Figs. 17A, 17B and 17C are stored in the read only memory (ROM) area of the control circuit of the block diagram. The operation control ofsteps 201 to 250 is conducted according to the procedure illustrated in the flow charts. - Upon start of the control system, a
sensor 102 detects the presence of a base plate 50 (201). If not, the system stays in a state of waiting. If the presence of abase plate 50 is detected, anair piston 10 enters into reciprocating motion (202). Every time thepiston 10 reciprocates, one of thebase plates 50 is delivered to anelevator 5. After five reciprocating cycles of the air piston 10 (203), alinear motor 12 is driven once to advance (204). When asensor 104 detects completion of dippingcapsule pins 2 into a gelling solution 3 (205), alinear motor 12 is reversed (206). Then alinear motor 14 is advanced (207). If asensor 106 detects the presence of apush rod 62b (208), this detection tells that by the pushing action of the push rod 62a, fivebase plates 50 have been transferred into a revolving cylinder 11. Upon the detection of thepush rod 62b, thelinear motor 14 is driven to reverse (209), and reversion of themotor 14 is ascertained (210), so that thepush rod 62b does not prevent the subsequent operation. In the subsequent step, a specified number of rotations of motor 16 (211) causes the revolving cylinder 11 to revolve only one cycle. Because by the advancing motion of thelinear motor 14 instep 207, therod 62b has pushed thebase plates 50 kept in the cylinder 11 into anelevator 7 from there, an advancing motion of a linear motor 18 (212) dips capsule pins 2 into hot water in avessel 6. Whensensor 108 detects dipping of capsule pins 2 (213), thelinear motor 18 is immediately stopped and the capsule pins 2 are held staying in the hot water for a preset period of time "a" (214) to ensure sufficient penetration of heat into the capsule pins. Just when the count of time T of a clock built in the control circuit reaches "a" (215) (216), thelinear motor 18 is reversed (217) to move up theelevator 7. On the other hand, after it is checked by asensor 112 that a carryingframe 78 is in position on a belt conveyor 77 (218), alinear motor 20 is reciprocated (219) to transferbase plates 50 fromelevator 7 onto carryingframe 78 by a hookedbar 81. - Then, as Shown in Fig. 17B, by rotating a motor 22(220) the
belt conveyor 77 transfers the carryingframe 78 loaded withbase plates 50 through a dryingchamber 8. When asensor 114 detects a base plate 50 (221),motor 22 stops, and consequently thebelt conveyor 77 stops (222). Alinear motor 24 is then reciprocated to transfer thebase plates 50 onto rollers 84 (223). Then asensor 116 detects an arrival of abase plate 50 from the rollers 84 (224) and anelectromagnet 26 pulls the base plate 50 (225). In this condition amotor 28 rotates in a normal direction (226) and, on detection of theelectromagnet 26 by a sensor 118 (227), themotor 28 stops (228). At this time thebase plates 50 are positioned at the top of turningplates 88. Then, anoil pressure ram 30 is pushed (229), and a swingingpart 91 begins to swing and eventually aligns with theram 30. This alignment is detected by a sensor 120 (230), and upon the detection, two pairs ofair nippers 32 open (231). When asensor 122 detects a female die 38 (232), theoil pressure ram 30 stops (233). At this time theair nippers 32 close (234). Then theram 30 begins to be pulled (235) and capsules are removed from capsule pins 2. When theram 30 comes out of the detection of the sensor 122 (236),nippers 32 are released to open (237). Whensensor 124 detects that swingingpart 91 has swung by 90 to its home position (238), the control shifts to the process shown in Fig. 17C, and theram 30 stops (239). - Here, a
motor 28 rotates in the normal direction (240) and, upon detection of thebase plate 50 by a sensor 126 (241), themotor 28 stops (242), to face thebase plate 50 toward aholder 45. Then, theelectromagnet 26 stops pulling (243) and alinear motor 36 reciprocates one cycle (244), thebase plate 50 withcapsule pins 2 comes back to the starting position (position detected at the step 201) through agreasing device 47. After thelinear motor 36 reciprocates one cycle at the step (244) amotor 28 rotates reversely (245), and upon detection of the presence of aelectromagnet 26 by a sensor 128 (246), the operation returns to thestep 224. These operations are repeated. - After an
oil pressure ram 30 is stopped atstep 239, and if it is detected by asensor 130 that acapsule 100 is correctly fitted into a coupling die 44 (247), anoil pressure ram 34 is pushed (248). It is confirmed by discontinuation of signal output from the sensor 130 (249) thatcapsule 100 with capsule 1 has fallen off from coupling die 44. Then theram 34 is pulled back (250). Thus the operation returns to thestep 227. These operations are repeated. - To make it easy to understand the procedure of each process, the program in the above description is of a serial control. However parallel controls are also applicable to the control system of this invention. For instance, the downward motion of an
elevator 5 by alinear motor 12 and that of anelevator 7 by alinear motor 18 may be conducted in parallel controls. - The invention will be more clearly understood with reference to the following examples:
- A dipping solution was prepared by dissolving a hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose, comprising 10 weight % hydroxypropoxy groups and 29 weight % methoxy groups of a 2% aqueous solution having a viscosity of 6 centipoise at 20 ° C, in water in a concentration of 22% followed by standing overnight and removing of bubbles under vacuum. Pins for #3 capsule coated beforehand with liquid paraffin were dipped in this dipping solution warmed at 40°C and pulled up out of the solution. After the drop at the pin heads had dripped, the pins were turned upside down and kept standing for 25 seconds. The pins were then dipped in hot water at 85°C for 10 seconds and transferred into a drying oven kept at 55°C where they were kept for 30 minutes, so that the gelled solution was dried up to give a shaped form of capsules. The shaped forms were removed from the pins and trimmed into a predetermined size to give capsule bodies. Thus prepared capsule bodies were free of wrinkle and had a uniform wall thickness of 0.12 mm at the head and 0.10 to 0.11 mm at the cylindrical trunk. Caps were prepared in the same manner as above. After filling with starch, a pair of body and cap was put into each other to give a capsule, the capsule was subjected to the disintegration test according to the procedure specified in the 11th Revised Japanese Pharmacoeia, and we found that the disintegration time was 6.5 minutes.
- A dipping solution having a sold content of 22% was prepared by blending a 22.2 % aqueous solution of 100 parts of the same above example 1. hydroxypropyl-methyle-cellulose and a dispersion of 2 parts of titanium-dioxide (A-110, product by Sakai Chemical Co.) in a calculated amount of water followed by standing overnight and removal of bubbles under vacuum. Subsequently, a capsule containing a light-shielding agent was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. The capsules were free of wrinkle and had a uniform wall thickness. The disintegration time thereof was 6.0 minutes as determined in the same manner as in Example 1.
- An aqueous solution having a solid content of 18% was prepared by dissolving 97 parts of a hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, comprising 5 weight % hydroxypropoxyl groups and 28 weight % methoxyl groups, respectively, and a 2% aqueous solution having a viscosity of 12 centipoise at 20°C and 3 parts of a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification of 88 mole % and 5 centipoise viscosity of 4% aqueous solution at 25°C, in water and after standing overnight. The solution was freed of bubbles under vacuum to give a dipping solution. Capsule pins for #3 capsule coated with liquid paraffin and heated at 50°C beforehand were dipped in the dipping solution kept at room temperature followed by the same procedure as in Example 1. to give capsules. The capsules were free of wrinkle and had an uniform wall thickness. The disintegration time thereof was measured to give a value of 9.5 minutes.
- A dipping solution was prepared by dissolving a hydroxypropyl cellulose, comprising 63 weight % hydroxypropoxy groups having a viscosity of 6 centipoise in a 2% aqueous solution at 20° C, in water in a concentration of 21% followed by standing overnight and removing of bubbles under vacuum. Capsule pins for #3 capsule coated with liquid paraffin beforehand were dipped in the dipping solution followed by the same procedure as in Example 1. except that the temperature of the hot water was 70°C to give capsules. The capsules were free of wrinkle and had an uniform wall thickness. The disintegration time thereof was measured to give a value of 6.0 minutes.
- While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details can be made without departing from the invention.
Claims (7)
- A method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:(a) dipping capsule pins in a solution of thermo-gelling material and pulling up said capsule pins from there,(b) gelatinizing said solution adhered to said capsule pins,(c) drying said gelatinised solution to form hard capsules and(d) removing said hard capsules from said capsule pins,characterized in that the gelatinization of step (b) is carried out by contacting said capsule pins with thermally controlled hot water, said hot water being maintained at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature.
- A method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:(a) dipping capsule pins in a solution of thermo-gelling material and pulling up said capsule pins from there,(b) revolving said capsule pins at least 180°,(c) gelatinizing said solution adhered to said capsule pins,(d) drying said gelatinized solution to form hard capsules and(e) removing said hard capsules from said capsule pins,characterized in that the gelatinization of step (c) is carried out by contacting said capsule pins with thermally controlled hot water, said hot water being maintained at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature.
- A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which said solution of thermo-gelling material is an aqueous solution of non-ionic cellulose ether.
- A method as claimed in claim 3, in which said non-ionic cellulose ether has at least 1.4 moles alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups per mole of glucose unit.
- An apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:(a) a means for circulating capsule pins through the following from (b) to (e),(b) a tank filled with a solution of thermo-gelling material and means for dipping said capsule pins in said tank and pulling up said capsule pins from there,(c) a vessel filled with thermally controlled water at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature of said solution and means for retaining said capsule pins in said vessel,(d) a drying device for removing solvent of said solution adhering to said capsule pins,(e) a means for removing capsules formed by the dried thermo-gelling material from said capsule pins.
- An apparatus of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use which comprises:(a) a means for circulating capsule pins through the following from (b) to (f),(b) a tank filled with a solution of thermo-gelling material and means for dipping said capsule pins in said tank and pulling up said capsule pins from there,(c) a means for revolving said capsule pins with said solution at least 180°,(d) a vessel filled with thermally controlled water at a higher temperature than the gelling temperature of said solution and means for retaining said capsule pins in said vessel,(e) a drying device for removing solvent of said solution adhering to said capsule pins,(f) a means for removing capsules formed by the dried thermo-gelling material from said capsule pins.
- An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which said tank is filled with an aqueous solution of non-ionic cellulose ether.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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JP108275/86 | 1986-05-12 | ||
JP61108275A JPS62266060A (en) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-05-12 | Production of medical hard capsule |
JP274781/86 | 1986-11-17 | ||
JP61274781A JPS63127757A (en) | 1986-11-17 | 1986-11-17 | Apparatus for producing medical hard capsule |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0246693A2 EP0246693A2 (en) | 1987-11-25 |
EP0246693A3 EP0246693A3 (en) | 1988-04-20 |
EP0246693B1 true EP0246693B1 (en) | 1992-08-19 |
Family
ID=26448205
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP87200862A Expired - Lifetime EP0246693B1 (en) | 1986-05-12 | 1987-05-11 | Method of manufacturing hard capsules for medicament use and apparatus of manufacturing them |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
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US (2) | US4993137A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0246693B1 (en) |
KR (1) | KR900000254B1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU592433B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA1286067C (en) |
DE (1) | DE3781201T2 (en) |
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-
1987
- 1987-05-09 KR KR1019870004573A patent/KR900000254B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1987-05-11 DE DE8787200862T patent/DE3781201T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-05-11 EP EP87200862A patent/EP0246693B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1987-05-11 CA CA000536748A patent/CA1286067C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1987-05-11 AU AU72702/87A patent/AU592433B2/en not_active Ceased
-
1989
- 1989-12-13 US US07/449,354 patent/US4993137A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1990
- 1990-02-28 US US07/485,835 patent/US5032074A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7087242B2 (en) | 1989-04-28 | 2006-08-08 | Mcneil-Ppc, Inc. | Subcoated simulated capsule-like medicament |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5032074A (en) | 1991-07-16 |
DE3781201D1 (en) | 1992-09-24 |
US4993137A (en) | 1991-02-19 |
AU592433B2 (en) | 1990-01-11 |
KR870010854A (en) | 1987-12-18 |
KR900000254B1 (en) | 1990-01-24 |
DE3781201T2 (en) | 1993-04-01 |
EP0246693A3 (en) | 1988-04-20 |
CA1286067C (en) | 1991-07-16 |
EP0246693A2 (en) | 1987-11-25 |
AU7270287A (en) | 1987-12-17 |
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